Illuminable sign



Patented Aug. 17, 1926.

i UNITED STATES OLIE A. BATES, 0E HAWTHORNE, CALIFORNIA,l AsSIGNoR 0E ONE-HALE To ALLEN STEPHENS, or LoS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

ILLUMINABLE SIGN.

Application filed July 13, 1925. Serial No.-43,321.

In this specification, and the accompanying drawing, I shall describe and show a preferred form of my invention, and specifically mention certain of its more important objects. I do not limit myself to the forms disclosed, since various changes and adaptations may be made therein without departing from essence of my invention ashereinafter claimed; and objects and advantages, other than those specifically mentioned, are included within its scope.

My invention relates to illuminable signs having means associated therewith for changing the legend. Among its principal objects are; first, to provide easy and convenient means for substituting one legend for another; second, to furnish facilities for utilizing a thin sheet of relatively cheap material with cut out portions therethrough constituting the legend; and, third, to supply a housing construction that is at once simple, effective, and relatively cheap to manufacture.

My objects are attained in the manner illustrated in the acco-mpanying drawing in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete device Figure 2 is a perspective view of the rear portion of the device with the front cover removed; and

Figure 3 is a cross sectional elevation of the device on a somewhat larger scale than the other figures.

Similar reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

The form of my device selected for illustration comprises a new and better form of license plate for motor vehicles. It consists of a trough-like body 4 having an interior reflecting surface 5 the cross section o-f which is made parabolic if desired in order to direct the light rays reflected therefrom in parallel lines. The longitudinal edges of the body extend laterally beyond the ends and are bent inwardly to form opposed flanges 6 in a plane in front of the ends 7. 1V ithin the body may be placed one or more electric lamps as shown at 8 mounted in suitable. sockets as 9.

The cover portion of the device has a rectangular or other suitable form of aperture 11 for framing the legend. to be displayed. This cover has end portions 12 adapted to overlap the body ends 7, and side portions 13 adapted to overlap and resiliently engagel the apeXes of the longitudinal edges of the body. For this purpose sides 13 are slightly grooved on the inside and are also partially cut away from the. ends as shown at 14. Thus the cover may be snapped over the trough-like body in a most convenient manner and when so placed will afford a weather-tight construction.

A glass plate 15 and a legend plate 16 are held between the cover and body flanges 6 in the manner most clearly illustrated in Figure The resiliency of flanges 6 will keep the glass and legend plates firmly in place and prevent their rattling when used on van automobile.

Legend plate 16 is usually opaque and has out out portions as indicated in Figure 1 constituting a legend easily seen in the daytime and illuminable at night by means of the rays from lamp 8.

Having thus fully described'my invention, I claim:

1. An illuminable sign comprising; a trough-like body having an interior reflecting surface; a cover adapted for resiliently engaging the longitudinal edges of the trough, and having an aperture in its face for framing a legend; a plate held between the cover and the trough edges, and having cut out portions forming a legend; and a lamp in said trough whereby said legend may be illuminated; said resilient engage-` ment between the cover and trough edges being adapted for compressing said plate between said edges and cover.

, 2. An illuminable sign comprising; a trough-like body having an interior reflecting surface and inwardly turned longitudinal edges forming opposed resilient flanges; a cover having sides adapted for enclosing Vand resiliently engaging the apeXes of said edges, and an aperture in its face for framing a legend; a glass pla-te held between the cover and said flanges; a. relatively thin opaque plate having cut out portions forming a legend, in contact with the glass and similarly held; and a lamp in said trough whereby said legend may be illuminate-d; said resilient engagement lbetween the cover and trough edges being adapted for compressing said plates between said cover and flanges.

3. An illuminable sign comprising; a trough-like body having an interior reflecting surface,. closed ends, and inwardly turned longitudinal edges forming opposed resilient flanges in u plane in front of the endsg. a cover having sides adapted. for enclosing and resliently engaging, tle apexes of said edges, and an aperture in its'faee for training a legend; n glass plate held betweenthe Cover and said flanges; a relatively tlii'n opaque plate having ent out portions forining a legend, in Contact with. the glass and similarly held; and a; lamp insavid'trough whereby said legend may be illuminated; the ends of said cover being adapted to everlhp the ends of' said" trougl' and said" resilent engagen'ient between the cover and trough edges being adapted for compressing said plates between seid cover and flanges.

OLIE A. BATES, 

